Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 5 [Oct. 24, 1861-Dec. 12, 1862].

About this Item

Title: Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 5 [Oct. 24, 1861-Dec. 12, 1862].
Author: Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865.
Publication: New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press; 1953.
Rights/Permissions: The University of Michigan Library provides access to these materials for educational and research purposes, with permission from their copyright holder. If you decide to use any of these materials, you are responsible for making your own legal assessment and securing any necessary permission.
Cite this Item: "Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 5 [Oct. 24, 1861-Dec. 12, 1862]." In the digital collection Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/lincoln5. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 22, 2024.

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To George B. McClellan1Jump to section

Washington City, D.C.
Major Genl. McClellan March 14, 1862.

As Gen Richardson takes Gen. Sumner's old Division, can he have an exchange of Brigades so as to take his old Brigade with him?

EDWIN M STANTON

Sec of War

Annotation

[1] AL, RPB. The telegram is in Lincoln's handwriting, in pencil except for ``Richardson'' which he had omitted and later wrote in with ink, but is signed by Stanton. It was written in reply to McClellan's telegram to Stanton of March 14, 11:30 A.M., ``Have placed Gen'l [Israel B.] Richardson in command of Gen'l [Edwin V.] Sumners Division instead [of?] Genl Kearney who prefers remaining with his old brigade Please inform the President.'' (DLC-RTL). At 3:45 P.M. McClellan again telegraphed ``I would advise that no change be made now in the organization of Divisions. It would be very pernicious at such a moment as this. . . . The third word omitted in your despatch & I do not know whether you mean Kearney or Richardson, but it makes no difference, as my opinion is based on general principles. I am hard at work.'' (Ibid.).

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